Twitter explanation from chief constable over senior leaders

WILTSHIRE chief constable Kier Pritchard has taken to social media to defend appointments to his senior leadership team.

Writing on Twitter he said: "Regrettably there has been some unhelpful commentary in the public domain regarding some of my new appointments, which I find very disappointing.

"This diverts the public's focus away from working with us as we continue to keep them safe.

"I have complete faith in the appointments I have made and I know each one will benefit my officers, staff, volunteers and the communities we serve in Wiltshire.

"I greatly value diversity and difference and I have specifically handpicked my team due their individual skills, experience and the wide ranging perspectives they bring from a variety of different backgrounds to support me in leading Wiltshire Police to be even better."

The team is made up of deputy chief constable Paul Mills, assistant chief constables Maggie Blyth and Mark Cooper, assistant chief officer Clive Baker, head of corporate communication Clare Mills and director of people and change Chris McMullin.